In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast, our guest David Fox—Training and Outreach Specialist with ETC—dives deep into DMX512. He challenges the misconception that DMX512 is an unfamiliar protocol and explains its evolution from analog systems to a reliable, widely-used lighting control standard. From the history of saltwater dimmers to the practical rules of wiring and troubleshooting DMX512, this discussion is packed with valuable insights for both beginners and industry professionals. 

After getting his start in high school running lights for a Sinatra impersonator in the back room of a Chinese restaurant in beautiful Burbank California, David Fox worked in California as a field service technician, production electrician, house electrician, console programmer, lighting designer, and monitor engineer for several theatres, live concert venues, feature films, and television productions. For the last 25 years, David has been at ETC starting providing frontline phone support. He then transitioned to managing technical support and customer service departments. Currently he works in the education center as the LMS Administrator and instructional designer developing training programs and presenting live and online classes. Since his start in the industry David has been passionate about learning and education believing that what we do is a craft and as such we all have a responsibility to pass along what we know to those who follow us. When not at work, he tries to do as little as possible and generally fails at it. 

Connect with David: 

www.etconnect.com https://learningstage.etcconnect.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-fox-instructional-designer-curriculum-developer/

Sponsor: MaxLite www.maxlite.com

Join us in celebrating our 100th episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast! In this special milestone episode, we welcome Craig DiLouie from the Lighting Controls Association and Alexa Berger from NEMA to discuss the future of lighting education, workforce development, and technological innovation in lighting controls. 

 We explore the transition from Education Express to the new NEMA Academy, an all-in-one platform for industry professionals to access high-quality education and training. Plus, we dive into the evolving landscape of lighting controls, from wireless systems to AI integration and the growing demand for electrical professionals in the industry. 

 Big thanks to our sponsor MaxLite and to the Lighting Controls Association and NAILD for making the 100th episode possible! 

 📍 Learn more: NEMA Academy 

 💡 Explore past episodes:  Lighting Controls Podcast 

 Hit LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more insights into lighting controls! 

 Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP is a journalist and educator in the lighting industry and serves as education director for the Lighting Controls Association, a council of NEMA dedicated to educating the public about lighting control technology and application. He is also lighting columnist for tED Magazine and Electrical Contractor. 

 Connect with Craig: lightingcontrolsassociation.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdilouie 

 Alexa Burr is the Vice President of Strategic Growth & Market Development at NEMA, driving non-dues revenue growth through market expansion, strategic partnerships, and initiatives like the Make It American™ certification program. With prior leadership roles at API and ACC, she has spearheaded standards development, global advocacy, and sustainability efforts across the chemical and petroleum industries. Holding advanced degrees in global health from Georgetown University, she also serves as an EMT in the Washington, DC area. 

 Connect with Alexa: 

nema.org 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-burr/ 

Sponsor: Maxlite www.maxlite.com

Lighting controls are evolving, but do we all speak the same language? Join Webster Marsh as he and Chris O'Shea from Control Force tackle the biggest terminology challenges in the industry. From different definitions across the U.S. and Europe to the confusion between "dimmer" and "controller," this episode uncovers why consistency in terminology matters more than ever for professionals and newcomers alike! Are we using the right words? Watch now and find out! 

Son of the founder of O’Shea Electric, Chris comes by this industry honestly. Finding his interest in theatrical lighting, he worked for, among others, Strand Lighting, Thea Enterprises representing Lutron, Chelsea Lighting, and most recently at PG Elite Lighting Service as Manager of Sales and Marketing. As Chris O'Shea Theatrical Lighting Design from 1996-2018, he has been a designer, stage tech, and board-operator for over 180 productions from the local church to Carnegie Hall. He is now the Head of Marketing and Business Development for Control Force. 

Connect with Chris: 

www.controlforce.com 

Sponsor: Maxlite www.maxlite.com

In this episode, Ryan Krueger, Energy Efficiency Manager at EnerChange, shares insights on lighting controls, rebates, and energy optimization. With funding from utilities and the Minnesota Department of Commerce, he audits nonprofits at no cost to them in order to cut building energy costs. Ryan breaks down how utilities structure rebates, the rise of luminaire-level lighting controls (LLLC), and why controls are the next big step in energy efficiency. Whether you're working on retrofits or new construction, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in to learn how lighting controls can maximize energy savings! 

Ryan is the Energy Efficiency Manager for EnerChange. They are funded by Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and the Minnesota Department to provide no cost energy audits for non profits in these service territories. Prior to EnerChange, Ryan spent 4 years in outside lighting sales for Premier Lighting. During his time at Premier Lighting, he went through NAILD’s LS1, LS2, LS-C. LS-C was the first iteration of lighting controls in 2020 which has now been revamped and reintroduce by Ron and Webster. Prior to that he spent 3 years managing another ESCO program doing lighting direct installs. So, it’s always been lightbulbs for Ryan. 

Specializing in high-end residential and hospitality lighting design, Andy Bull shares insights on lighting controls, automation, and scene-based design—exploring how smart systems can enhance daily life. From residential vs. commercial lighting to educating clients on intuitive controls, this episode sheds light on optimizing spaces for function and aesthetics.  

Andy Bull is a lighting designer, controls specialist, and rally co-driver. 

Based in Dublin, Ireland, Andy leads two lighting-focused businesses—his own company, Lighting Audio Video Projects, and Eclipse Lighting Design, a collaborative studio he co-founded with Scottish lighting designer Gordon Petrie. Across both, he delivers intuitive lighting and control systems for residential and select commercial projects across Ireland and the UK, and has done projects in Europe, and Africa. 

 Connect with Andy: www.linkedin.com/in/AndyBullLighting 

 Sponsor: MaxLite www.maxlite.com

In this engaging episode, Adrienne Jones, a seasoned professional with 26 years of experience in the lighting industry, takes center stage to share her wealth of knowledge. Here's what you can expect:
🔹 Design Build Explained: Adrienne uncovers the nuances of design build projects, emphasizing collaboration from the start to streamline processes and ensure success.
🔹 The Importance of Clear Definitions: Addressing miscommunication in the industry, Adrienne advocates for aligning terminology to improve education and project outcomes.
🔹 Teaching Heuristics: A call for better tools to navigate real-world challenges—moving beyond reciting information to empowering learners with practical processes.
🔹 Communication Challenges: From field technicians to design teams, Adrienne dives into the critical need for improved two-way communication across disciplines.
🔹 Staying Curious: Adrienne emphasizes the value of curiosity in driving professional growth, urging listeners to learn from failures and embrace innovation.
🎧 Whether you're a lighting enthusiast or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you navigate the dynamic world of lighting controls!
🔗 Watch now and join the conversation. #LightingDesign #LightingControls #Education #PodcastHighlights #ProfessionalGrowth

Connect with Adrienne:
lightinggroup.com
www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-jones-lc-mies-5665a6101

Sponsor: mwConnect www.mwconnect.us 

Like so many other lighting controls specialists, Adam originates from the theatrical lighting world, so he unabashedly loves DMX512. But don’t call it "DMX," lest the DMX512 police arrest you. But seriously, Adam talks about DMX profiles, charts, HSI, and the importance of the manufacturers putting all of this information and more on the cut sheet. And remember, just because it’s a DMX512 fixture doesn't mean it can be programmed the same as another DMX512 fixture. That's what profiles are for. Adam is an architectural lighting designer with a BA and MFA in Theatrical Lighting Design. With a foundation in stage lighting for plays, musicals, dance performances, fashion shows, and corporate events, Adam brings a dynamic, storytelling-driven approach to architectural lighting. Over the past decade, they have designed lighting and control systems for projects ranging from LAX terminals and the Seattle Aquarium to university buildings, Netflix production studio offices, and performing arts centers. Their expertise in both theatrical and architectural controls allows them to craft immersive, intuitive lighting environments that enhance user experience and bring client visions to life. In addition to design work, Adam collaborates with manufacturers to refine and evolve lighting control products for greater functionality and usability. They also hold two patents for architectural lighting accessories, further demonstrating their commitment to innovation in the field.

Connect with Adam:
firstcircledesign.com
linkedin.com/in/adamrlevine

Sponsor: MaxLite

www.maxlite.com 

“I want one button that turns everything off when I leave.” For Chase, in the high-end residential world, that is often where the conversation with a homeowner begins, and that is where the lighting controls design begins. These aren’t complicated multi-media building facades, but with the different expectation of what makes good lighting controls and good lighting design, communication with a homeowner is paramount.  

Employed at TSP Smart Spaces, Chase was educated in IT, but is a home automation designer by nature. He has 18+ years in the business of IT, lighting control, AV, and security services. Chase takes every opportunity to explore and implement the right solution through collaboration and ultimate vision. 

Connect with Chase:

Instagram: this_wandering_bison
linkedin.com/in/chase-michael-rowe-06045239
Website: tsp.space

Sponsor: Dali Alliance dali-alliance.org

“Architainment”. You might hate the term, but Sam has embraced it as it perfectly describes what he does. Coming from the theatre world, and tiring of tech week and the cue-to-cue’s, Sam moved into the 9 to 5(-ish) world of architectural lighting. He still holds onto that creative theatricality and applies it to theme parks, building facades, and bridges. But that doesn’t mean the work headaches have gone away. Listen to his story about the Manhattan building project that started out great, but devolved into weeks of extra work when the contractor fell behind. Sam is the sole proprietor of At Full Lighting, a company that specializes in large-scale entertainment and architectural lighting installations. Before starting At Full Lighting, he held various positions in many different areas of the lighting industry. He’s sailed the high seas as shipwide show control on cruise ships, spent ten months living in Dubai commissioning & programming a new amusement park, and has volunteered his time at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival two years in a row. Sam has worked for various manufacturers and lighting integrators in the US and abroad, acting in various roles such as Project Manager, Service Technician, and Programmer. He has been an ETC Factory Certified Technician for twelve years and a member of their Advanced Programmers Group for the last eleven. He is also a certified trainer for ETC’s Eos line of consoles. He received a BFA in Theatrical Lighting Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Sam has been based out of New York for the past thirteen years.

Every once in a while we get guests who worry that they won’t have something to say on the podcast. Yoelit Hiebert, an electrical engineer who worked on the Tomahawk weapons system, has plenty to say and it’s worth listening to. Working on something as complicated as a self guided missile, documentation is vital. While we’re not going to accidentally blow something up with lighting controls, Yoelit argues that documentation will save time, money, and headaches. 

Yoelit has been working in the LED lighting industry for nearly twenty years and currently serves as both the Quality Manager and R&D lead at PLC Multipoint. Yoelit really likes solving problems and her work gives her plenty of opportunities to do just that in the complex and rapidly changing world of lighting control. 

Yoelit Hiebert has both a B.S. and M.S. in electrical engineering.  She is a Professional Engineer and Lighting Certified.  Yoelit is active in industry standards development and serves as the Vice-Chair for the IES Lighting Control Systems Committee.  Yoelit also serves as Vice-Chair on the Lighting Controls Association Board. 

Although a St. Louis native, Yoelit has spent the last five years living and working in Connecticut.

Connect with Yoelit:
plcmultipoint.com
www.linkedin.com/in/yoelit-h-hiebert-pe-lc-2b47034 

Sponsor: mwConnect www.mwconnect.us